Key actuated exterior cam lock

Abstract

The present invention provides a key actuated cam lock. The cam lock has a corrosion resistant metal cap. A weather resistant plug cap is rotatably mounted in the corrosion resistant metal cap. The weather resistant plug cap has an opening permitting the entry of the key. A plug body is located adjacent to the plug cap. The plug body has a key entering end and a cam actuating end, and a plurality of spring biased disc tumblers engaging the key when the key is inserted into the plug body. The cam lock also has a lock housing so that the plug body is rotatably positioned within the lock housing. The lock housing has at least one limit stop disposed thereon. The plug body has an internal O-ring providing a weather resistant seal located near the cam actuating end of the plug housing. The O-ring is disposed between the cam actuating end of the plug body and the lock housing. The cam actuating end of the plug body is connected to a corrosion resistant metal stop plate engaging the limit stop upon rotation of the plug body. A rotatable cam is connected to the cam actuating end.

I claim:  
     
       1. A key actuated cam lock comprising: a corrosion resistant truncated substantially conical metal cap having an internal bore tapering to a substantially flat front rim, said rim having a central aperture extending therethrough; a weather resistant plug cap having an opening permitting the entry of said key; a plug body disposed adjacent to said plug cap, said plug body having a key entering end and a cam actuating end; said plug body further having a plurality of spring biased disc tumblers engaging said key when said key is inserted into said plug body; a lock housing; said lock housing having a tapered conical head circumferentially disposed about a first end, said tapered conical head being constructed and arranged for mating engagement with said tapered internal bore of said corrosion resistant metal cap; said plug body being rotatably positioned within said lock housing, said lock housing having at least one limit stop disposed thereon; said plug body having an internal O-ring providing a weather resistant seal located near said cam actuating end, said O-ring disposed between said cam actuating end of said plug body and said lock housing; said cam actuating end of said plug body being connected to a corrosion resistant metal stop plate engaging said limit stop upon rotation of said plug body; and, a rotatable cam connected to said cam actuating end. 
     
     
       2. The cam lock of claim  1  in which said corrosion resistant metal cap is selected from the group consisting of a stainless steel cap, a brass cap, a copper alloy cap, and a galvanized metal cap. 
     
     
       3. The cam lock of claim  1  in which said corrosion resistant metal stop plate is selected from the group consisting of a stainless steel stop plate, a brass stop plate, a copper alloy stop plate, and a galvanized metal stop plate. 
     
     
       4. The cam lock of claim  1  in which said cam lock is plated with duplex nickel chrome. 
     
     
       5. The cam lock of claim  1  in which said corrosion resistant metal stop plate is a stainless steel stop plate, and further comprising threads located on an exterior portion of said lock housing; said threads being sized, positioned, constructed and arranged for threaded insertion into an aperture in the object to be locked; a nickel plated body nut capable of engaging said threads and securably mounting said lock housing; said cam actuating end having a sem screw matable portion; a nickel plated sem screw securing said stainless steel stop plate and said cam to said plug body; and, in which said cam is a duplex nickel plated cam. 
     
     
       6. The cam lock of claim  5  in which said nut is a hex nut. 
     
     
       7. The cam lock of claim  1  in which said plug body has an annular recess disposed substantially near said cam actuating end, said annular recess dimensioned to sealably receive said O-ring, whereby said O-ring prevents water from penetrating said lock. 
     
     
       8. An improved key actuated cam lock comprising: a corrosion resistant truncated substantially conical metal cap, having an internal bore tapering to a substantially flat front rim, said rim having a central aperture extending therethrough, a weather resistant plug cap rotatably mounted in said corrosion resistant metal cap, said weather resistant plug cap having an opening permitting the entry of said key; a brass plug body disposed adjacent to said plug cap, said plug body having a key entering end and a cam actuating end; said plug body further having a plurality of spring biased disc tumblers engaging said key when the key is inserted into said plug body; a lock housing; said lock housing having a tapered conical head circumferentially disposed about a first end, said tapered conical head being constructed and arranged for mating engagement with said tapered internal bore of said corrosion resistant metal cap; said plug body being rotatably positioned within said lock housing; said lock housing having at least one limit stop disposed thereon; said plug body having an internal O-ring providing a weather resistant seal located near said cam actuating end, said O-ring disposed between said cam actuating end of said plug body and said lock housing; said cam actuating end of said plug body being connected to a stainless steel stop plate engaging said limit stop upon rotation of said plug body; and a rotatable duplex nickel plated cam connected to said cam actuating end. 
     
     
       9. The cam lock of claim  8  in which said corrosion resistant metal cap is selected from the group consisting of a stainless steel cap, a brass cap, a copper alloy cap and a galvanized metal cap. 
     
     
       10. A method of creating a weather resistant exterior cam lock, comprising: plating at least two components of said cam lock with a corrosion resistant metal, said components selected from the group consisting of a truncated substantially conical metal cap, having an internal bore tapering to a substantially flat front rim, said rim having a central aperture extending therethrough, a weather resistant plug cap, an openable dust shutter permitting the entry of a key, a plug body, said plug body having a key entering end and a cam actuating end, spring biased disc tumblers, a lock housing, said lock housing having a tapered conical head circumferentially disposed about a first end, said tapered conical head being constructed and arranged for mating engagement with said tapered internal bore of said corrosion resistant metal cap; a metal stop plate, and a rotatable cam; providing a weather resistant seal located near said cam actuating end of said plug body, said weather resistant seal disposed between said cam actuating end of said plug body and said lock housing; and, assembling said components of said weather resistant exterior cam lock. 
     
     
       11. The method of creating a weather resistant exterior cam lock of claim  10  in which said step of plating components of said cam lock with a corrosion resistant metal includes duplex nickel chrome plating. 
     
     
       12. The method of creating a weather resistant exterior cam lock of claim  10  further comprising providing a stainless steel stop plate; a brass plug body; a nickel plated hex nut; a nickel plated sem screw; and, a duplex nickel plated cam. 
     
     
       13. The method of creating a weather resistant exterior cab lock of claim  10  in which said weather resistant seal comprises an O-ring.